The potential role of Ayurveda in management of Covid-19 pandemic will be the focus of this year's ‘Ayurveda Day’ observation. The ‘Ayurveda Day’ is being observed every year on the occasion of Dhanwantri Jayanti. This year it falls on November 13.

The objective of ‘Ayurveda Day’ is to focus on strengths of Ayurveda and its unique treatment principles, to work towards reducing the burden of disease and related mortality by utilising the potential of Ayurveda, to tap into the potential of Ayurveda to contribute towards National Health Policy and National Health programmes, and to promote Ayurvedic principles of healing in society, the Ayush Ministry said in a statement.

The ministry will organise various activities to mark the occasion, with a special focus on concerns related to the present pandemic and how Ayurveda can help in immunity building. A webinar on the theme of 'Ayurveda for Covid-19 Pandemic' will be organised on 'Ayurveda Day.' It aims to be an occasion of virtual information dissemination about the various initiatives of the Ayurveda discipline to mitigate Covid-19. About 1.5 lakh participants from all over the world are expected to attend the webinar. The ministry has also requested embassies/missions abroad to observe the 'Ayurveda Day' with appropriate activities that will engage the public.

Similarly, interactive webinars with BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-sectorial Technical and Economic Co-operation) and IBSA (India, Brazil, South Africa) countries in the second half of October, and another one in association with the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Commerce, Exim Bank on export of Ayurveda products have been planned.

Different State and UT Governments are also organising events like webinars, radio talk, quiz and health camps on the theme of 'Ayurveda for Covid-19 Pandemic' as a part of Ayurveda Day observation.